Lithuania  Historical Film Footage

Liberation of Vilna

Vilna, Lithuania, July 1944

[Silent, 2:09]

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 National Archives - Film

In June 1944, the Soviet Union launched a massive offensive against the German army in eastern Europe. Soviet forces liberated Vilna in July 1944, after bitter street fighting with the German garrison. They then continued on toward Kovno, the capital of Lithuania. This Soviet footage depicts the battle for Vilna and the final liberation of the city by the Soviet army.